Uniplaces provides a proof of accommodation letter for visa applications once your booking is confirmed — that is, once the landlord has accepted your booking request, your payment has gone through and you have received the booking confirmation from Uniplaces. To request it, use the Help Centre contact form and upload a copy of your passport there; the team will send the document to you by email.
What is a proof of accommodation letter?
A proof of accommodation letter is a document issued by Uniplaces that confirms you have booked accommodation at a specific address for a defined period. It includes your name, the property address, your move-in and move-out dates, and the Uniplaces booking reference.
This document is commonly required by embassies and consulates as part of a student visa or residence permit application — particularly for non-EU students moving to Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany or France.
The letter is not your tenancy agreement. The tenancy agreement is made between you and the landlord directly; Uniplaces is not a party to it. The letter only confirms the booking you made through Uniplaces.
When can you request it?
The proof of accommodation letter is only available after your booking is confirmed. You cannot request it for a pending booking — the landlord must have accepted your request and your payment must have gone through before the document can be issued.
Your first rental payment, the Uniplaces service fee and, where the listing has one, the holding deposit (a payment that reserves the accommodation for you — not a damages deposit) are charged by Uniplaces when the landlord accepts. You enter your card details when you send the request, but the card is only charged on acceptance. Until your booking is confirmed, nobody should ask you to pay anything.
Step 1 — Check that your booking is confirmed
Look for the booking confirmation email, or check the status of your request in your Personal Dashboard. Only a confirmed booking — accepted and paid — qualifies.
Step 2 — Request it through the Help Centre contact form
Use the Help Centre contact form and upload a copy of your passport there, giving the email address associated with your Uniplaces account. The form is the right channel for an identity document: the upload is encrypted, and ordinary email is not. Send only the passport page the team needs — nothing more. If you cannot use the form, you can write to customercare@uniplaces.com from your registered address as a last resort.
Step 3 — Receive the letter by email
The Uniplaces team reviews your documents and sends the proof of accommodation letter by email once everything has been checked.
Is this document accepted by embassies?
In most cases, yes — but acceptance depends entirely on the embassy or consulate processing your application. Uniplaces cannot guarantee that any specific embassy will accept this document, as each has its own requirements and may ask for additional supporting materials.
Before submitting your visa application, check the specific documentation requirements on the official website of the embassy or consulate in your country. If you’re unsure whether the Uniplaces letter meets their requirements, contact the embassy directly before booking.
What if you need it urgently?
The document is issued by the Uniplaces support team once your booking is confirmed — there’s no significant processing delay. If your booking is confirmed and you haven’t received the document after contacting support, follow up with the Uniplaces support team with your booking reference.
The document cannot be issued before your booking is confirmed. If you have a visa deadline approaching, prioritise Instant Booking listings: on these, your request is accepted automatically instead of waiting up to 48 hours for the landlord, and the booking is confirmed as soon as your payment goes through.
Booking only to get the letter
A booking made through Uniplaces is a real booking. If you book to obtain the letter and then cancel, the listing’s cancellation policy applies: your first rental payment is refunded according to that policy, measured from the contract start date, and the Uniplaces service fee is never refunded when you cancel. See What Is the Uniplaces Cancellation Policy?
Languages available
The proof of accommodation letter is currently available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French and German. If your embassy requires a document in another language, contact the Uniplaces support team to check whether a translated version can be provided for your specific destination.
When to contact Uniplaces support
- Your booking is confirmed and you need the proof of accommodation letter
- You requested the letter and haven’t received it — include your booking reference
- Your embassy needs the letter in a language other than those listed above
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a proof of accommodation before the landlord accepts my request?
No — the document is only issued after your booking is confirmed. If you need it urgently for a visa deadline, prioritise Instant Booking listings, where your request is accepted automatically and the booking is confirmed once your payment goes through.
Can I use the proof of accommodation letter for a bank account application?
The letter confirms your accommodation address and booking dates. Whether it’s accepted as proof of address for a bank account depends on the bank’s requirements — check with your bank before relying on it for this purpose.
If my visa is refused, do I get my money back?
A visa refusal does not change the cancellation rules. If you cancel, your first rental payment is refunded according to the listing’s cancellation policy, and the service fee is not refunded. Check the policy on the listing before you book.